The dedication of a grave marker honoring Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Seabrook was one of three activities the Middletown Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution completed last weekend, , holding a ceremony at the grave of the Revolutionary War soldier in Fairview Cemetery on Route 35, Middletown.
Present for the ceremony were descendants of Colonel Seabrook, numerous guests, Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Maureen O’Connor Leach. both strong advocates of the DAR contributions to Monmouth County’s history and preservation, and both members of the Monmouth County Historical Commission. State DAR historian Pat Sanftner sung the national anthem at the start of the ceremony.
Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 137 in Hazlet formed the color guard at the grave, and Frank Rieman, a Middletown High School South student, played taps on the trumpet. The Trilogy, a trio of local women with superb mixed voices, sang God Bless America to close the ceremony.
Funding for the event was made possible in part from an operating support grant from the NJ Historical Commission administered by the Monmouth County Historical Commission.
Gary Walling of Colts Neck, a fifth great grandson of Col. Seabrook, and other descendants of the soldier, including Patricia Cowell of West Keansburg, also spoke at the event and uncovered the marker on their ancestor’s grave near the Oak Hill entrance to the cemetery.
Thomas Seabrook was born in 1738, the great grandson of Thomas Seabrook, the first of the family to come to the country in 1664 when he settled in New York.
The Middletown Thomas Seabrook, son of Daniel Seabrook and Mary Brown, married Martha Tallman and the couple, who had five children, lived in the Seabrook-Wilson House in Port Monmouth, for many years best known commonly as the Spy House.
Active in civic life, serving as Overseers of Highways and of the poor, as well as Commissioner and arbiter for Middletown, Thomas Seabrook was a first major in the Monmouth County Militia at the start of the Revolution, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the New Jersey State Troops at the end of November 1776.
He replaced Nathanial Scudder in that position and was commander of eight companies from Middlesex, Monmouth and Burlington counties. He was elected to the state Legislature in 1779, serving three years until 1781 and died Feb. 22, 1805.
During last week’s ceremony conducted by the Middletown DAR under the leadership of Regent Michele Donnelly, guests also paid tribute to all the patriots who left a legacy of unequalled liberties America enjoys today.
Regent Donnelly led prayers honoring the patriots, noting their deep faith and belief in heavenly guidance, together with a hope of living in freedom, fortified them throughout the Revolution. She called for further tributes to all men and women who have served the country with integrity and devotion and noted that with the grave marker dedication at Col Seabrook’s resting place, “we dedicated ourselves anew to a faithful stewardship of the blessings we enjoy today.”
The Middletown chapter is one of five DAR chapters in Monmouth County, which include the Francis Hopkinson Chapter in Freehold, the Shrewsbury Towne-Middletown chapter in Shrewsbury, the Coastal Watch in Allenhurst and the Governor William Livingston Chapter in Spring Lake. The Middletown chapter’s 41members meet bi-monthly at VFW Post No. 2179 on Route 36.
Officers working with Regent Donnelly are Vice Regent Kim Best, Treasurer Gail Bozza, Secretary Helene Henkel and Registrar Maureen Foster. Their mission is historic preservation, education and patriotism.
In addressing the group during the ceremony, County Commissioner Leach thanked the DAR members for their dedication, and noted she always attends their events with pride not only in their dedication but also in the history they so carefully work to preserve.
Reid, the sixth grade student and member of Troop 137 who carried the flag for the dedication, said he wanted to be part of the ceremony because he is proud of what the early patriots did for the country, and feels a sense of pride and dedication himself to be able to take part of the solemn remembrance.
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